The Michigan departments of Environmental Quality, Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development recently announced that 17 grant projects will share $3,507,907 in funding through the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program – an initiative launched in 2014 to help prevent and control invasive species within the state.

The program targets four key objectives:

• Preventing new introductions of invasive species through outreach and education.
• Monitoring for new invasive species and the expansion of existing invasive species.
• Strategically managing and controlling key colonized species.
• Responding to and conducting eradication efforts for new findings and range expansions.

In the three years since the program was initiated by the Legislature, more than $11 million has been awarded in grants to local governments, non-profits and institutions for on-the-ground management, education and outreach, and development of innovative methods for controlling invasive species.

“Funding provided through the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program empowers our partners to make real strides in the fight against invasive species,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh. “Collaboration like this is critical to safeguarding Michigan’s world-class woods and waters and ensuring these valuable natural resources remain healthy and accessible to current and future generations.”

This year’s awardees include seven cooperative invasive species management areas (CISMAs) providing education and management assistance in 35 counties across Michigan. CISMA efforts range from treating invasive Phragmites and removing European frogbit to helping identify invasive species and preventing their spread.